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926 SOUTHEASTERN MASSACHUSETTS
(VIII) Emmons Dexter Guild was born in
Wrentham and was quite young when his parents
moved to Attleboro. Here he acquired his
education in the public schools. In his young
manhood he learned the jeweler's trade, and
was associated with that calling all his life.
As a boy he was industrious and energetic and
when eleven years old drove a milk wagon. He
was employed in various ways until the outbreak
of the Civil war. On Dec. 9, 1861, he
that position when he died. He was past commander
of the Massachusetts Association of
Ex-Prisoners of War, and a member and treasurer
of the Attleboro Association of Ex-Prisoners,
and he served as an aide on the staff of
past commander-in-chief, Gen. Russell A. Alger
of the National G. A. R. He was a member of
several other State and county associations of
the veterans. He was past grand of Orient
Lodge, I. 0. 0. F. ; Gideon Horton Encampment
of Odd Fellows; a charter member of
enlisted in Troop G, 1st Rhode Island Cavalry,
and was assigned to the Army of the Potomac.
He participated in the following battles, all
in Virginia: Columbia Bridge, Mullen Bridge,
Cedar Mountain, North Rappahannock, Catten
Station, Sulphur Springs, Groveton, Second
Bull Run, Chantilly, White Ford, Mountville,
Hazel Run, Fredericksburg, Hartwood Church,
Kelly's Ford (where his conspicuous bravery
while acting as corporal caused his promotion
to sergeant), Rapidan River, Ellis Ford,
Brandy Station, Middleburg, Jones' Cross
Roads, Hazel Run (2), Rapidan Station and
Warrenton. At the last named fight Sergeant
Guild was taken prisoner and for the remarkable
period of 500 days suffered every torture
and hardship history has painted, in Confederate
prisons at Richmond, Laundry, Pemberton.
Belle Isle, Andersonville, Savannah
Mills and Florence. He was paroled at Wilmington,
N. C, Feb. 26, 1865. His naturally
rugged constitution enabled him to withstand
this experience without permanent injury to
"his health, though he weighed far less than
one hiuidred pounds on his release.
On his return to Massachusetts Mr. Guild
entered the employ of Kingman & Hodges, of
Mansfield, as foreman, and after nearly five
years there came to Attleboro, and after working
for one or two concerns became foreman
in the W. H. Wilmarth Company corporation,
and about 1891 became a member of the corporation.
He was elected president and held
that position at the time of his death.
On July 26, 1870, Mr. Guild married Ella
Josephine Brown, who was bom in Mansfield,
daughter of Francis A. and Caroline M. (Patten)
Brown. To this union was born one son:
Frank Emmons, May 28, 1881, who is a member
of the jewelry firm of F. E. Guild & Co.,
of Providence, Rhode Island. He married
Ethel R. Wolfenden of Attleboro.
Shortly after the war Mr. Guild joined Pres-
Pokonoket Tribe,
cott Post No. 1, G. A. R., Department of Rhode
Island, and later became a charter member of
William A. Streeter Post, of Attleboro, and of
the latter he served as commander in 1886,
1887, 1905, 1906, 1907, 1908, and was still in
I. 0. R. M. a member of
;
the Knights of Malta ; Royal Arcanum and
;
Pennington Lodge, A. 0. U. W. He was interested
and active in all. He was a member of
the Murray parish, Universalist Society, and
took an active part in its affairs.
Mr. Guild died Nov. 19, 1909, after several
months of ill health. He was universally esteemed,
and it had been his good fortune to
make and to retain the warm friendship of all
who came within the circle of his acquaintance
and knew his genial, kindly smile. In an editorial
the day of his death, the Attleboro Sun
said:
"Emmons D. Guild possessed to a rare degree
the qualities that win admiration and
cement friendship. The cheery word, the hearty
handclasp and the sunny smile will be sorely
missed by a legion of friends and a host of
acquaintances, and the town will mourn the
passing of a son ever zealous in her best interests.
His life story with its rise to promineiice
that extended beyond Attleboro is a guide and
inspiration to others who can emulate his gospel
of hard work and his high ideals while his
;
war record with its 500 days spent in Confederate
prisons is a lesson in patriotism that
Attleboro cherish.es. Overwhelming sorrow at
his going cannot but be lightened by realization
of the rich legacy of personality he leaves. In
the number who feel his loss is his greatest
tribute."
BENJAMIN MARSTON WATSON (deceased),
who for years was extensively engaged
in the nursery business at Plymouth, as the
owner of the Old Colony Nursery, was widely
known in this country and Europe, not only in
his commercial relations with that line of business
but also in a broader and more enviable
connection— as a student of forestry and horticulture,
a lover of nature, a practical worker
in his chosen calling, yet cherishing ideals
which raised it above the level of mere business
and invested it with charm for himself and all
who came in contact with him.
. Mr. Watson was bom in Plymouth Jan. 18,